Meet Lisa Martinez | Poet/Author

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lisa Martinez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lisa, what do you want your legacy to be?
This is an interesting question as we all hope we will be remembered in specific ways; however, how we are actually remembered is based on the individuals remembering us. I want my legacy to be one of an overcomer who is thankful to God for overcoming!
We all experience hardships and my life has been filled with traumatic experiences from childhood sexual abuse, to almost being raped as a young adult, to unexpectedly raising a child alone as a single parent…my list could go on. However, I want to be remembered for how I didn’t allow these setbacks to permanently keep me down. Some of my experiences may have derailed me from my plans for a time (like when I dropped out of high school and didn’t get my associates degree until I was 52 years old). Yet, they didn’t permanently keep me down. I chose to return to school in my fifties, even though I was afraid of being the older adult in a classroom of youngsters fresh out of high school. I could have allowed the voices of my past, who always told me I would amount to nothing, to prevent me from taking those first steps towards my life goals.
Another example would be when I decided to self-publish my own books. I could have allowed the negative voices of my past discourage me from compiling my first book of poetry and self-publishing it. After all, I was told no one would want to read anything I wrote. But I didn’t worry about who would read my books – I self-published and am proud of my works.
Equally important to me is being remembered for being kind. Life’s trials have been dark enough to make me brittle & mean. However, God has shown me a love that I aim to share with others in ways like smiling at strangers as I pass them. If smiles are flowers, then I plan on leaving bouquets everywhere I go.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
At heart, I am a poet. Poetry in and of itself comes in many different forms or styles. I am most proud of how I was able to compile my book of poetry using poems I had written throughout my lifetime. I am Mexican American and a native Texan – so perhaps I am unique as a poet in that regard. I am most proud of my self-published books because I was long told I wasn’t capable or talented enough to accomplish my childhood dream of being a writer.
Self-publishing is challenging because you are writing, editing, formatting, and marketing your books by yourself. Even though I tried really hard to proofread and edit my works, there are still quite a few typos in my books. I choose to leave the errors as I want others to see you don’t have to be perfect to share your story with others. (I believe we all have a story to share.)

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Let’s say my friend came to see me on a Sunday. First, I would take my best bud to see my poem that was installed as a part of an art project in North Richland Hills. The Poetry in the Park installation can be found along the trail of Linda Spurlock park. After, I would have to take her to eat at Tacos tu Chilito in North Richland Hills. The owner Graciela is a hardworking, kind individual who always serves up tasty food.
On Monday, I would take my friend to work with me at Serving Our Seniors, a wonderful nonprofit who serves seniors ages 65+ in the NE Tarrant County area. I work part-time so after work, we’d plan to drive a senior to an appointment they have like a doctor’s appointment or a run to the grocery store. After that, we’d have to grab a barbecue dinner at Back Forty Smokehouse in North Richland Hills. On Tuesday after work, we’d have a late lunch of $12 pizza at Bosses Pizza NRH. While we were waiting for our food, we’d play some of our favorite old arcade games like Ms. Pacman and Galaga. On Wednesday we’d go to B&B Theatres to enjoy trivia night and catch a good movie. On Thursday we’d plan a visit to the awesome Fort Worth zoo. We’d ride the TexRail to enjoy the sights and see what else we can get into. Friday would find us at Keyworth Brewery in North Richland Hills where the Keyworth family has cultivated a wonderful, family-friendly place to socialize with others. Saturday we’d have to walk Northeast Mall and then grab some yummy Thai food at Sweet Basil Thai. After we’d grab mini bundlets from Nothing Bundt Cakes Hurst. We’d also grab a coffee & good book at Coffee, Tea & Books in Bedford.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
So many deserve recognition here. I’d love to first thank God for truly helping me understand just how blessed I am. Thank you to my husband, Abram, who encourages me to write. I can’t thank enough my best friends: my brother JR and my cousin/sister, Melissa. These two gave me a reason to keep going by being in big sister. mode. Another BFF is my childhood friend Marcie who has never given up on me no matter how derailed I would get in life.
There are so many angels on Earth who helped me get through lean years by giving me a place to rest my head at night when I didn’t have a home or who helped me keep my electricity on when I was a single parent or just prayed for/with me right on time. I also want to thank my 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. Bisor, who was probably the first person to ever speak life into me when she told me I was smart and could accomplish my dreams.

Website: https://amazon.com/author/martinezlisa

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